Main Idea &

Supporting
Details
 Main Idea
• The main idea is the “big point”
or the most important idea that
the writer is communicating to
the reader.
• Often the reader can find the
main idea just by looking at the
title.
• For example, a passage titled:
“Why Students Should Have Less
Homework” will include reasons
for that idea.
 What’s the Point?
• Read this short paragraph:
Engineers create wealth for society. So,
tennis is a game and the resources of
the earth are scarce. Have you gone
mad? Thus the only solution is to
educate the public on being socially
responsible.

DID THIS MAKE SENSE?????

 OF COURSE NOT!
• It didn’t have a MAIN IDEA!
• We would go crazy if texts were written
like this all the time.
• It was difficult to understand because it
was made of different ideas that did not
link. There was no common thread.
• The good news is that normal passages
have main ideas!
 Main Idea

• Main Idea - is like the heart of the text or

a paragraph.
• It is the controlling idea.
• All the other supporting details in the
text or within a paragraph should tell us
more about the main idea.
Ask Yourself….
WHO or WHAT
is this passage
about?”
 The Topic Sentence
• Many paragraphs have topic
sentences that indicate the main
idea.
• Find the topic sentence in this
paragraph:
Homeless people have many
problems. In winter, it’s hard to
stay warm and it gets too hot in
summer. It’s also hard to keep
things safe without a home.
Worst is the lack of privacy.
 Supporting Details
• Supporting details prove the
value of the main idea. What
are they here?
Homeless people have
many problems. In winter, it’s
hard to stay warm and it gets
too hot in summer. It’s also
hard to keep things safe
without a home. Worst is the
lack of privacy.
 Supporting Details
Homeless people have many problems. In
winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too
hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things
safe without a home. Worst is the lack of
privacy.

The supporting details are in bold. There are

THREE points to support the topic
sentence/main idea.
 Stated and Implied Main Idea
• Sometimes, a paragraph has a stated main idea
usually in the topic sentence. This means the
paragraph “says” what the main idea is.
• Sometimes, a paragraph doesn’t have a stated
main idea, but has an “implied” main idea. This
means that you need to state the main idea in
your own words because it doesn’t actually “say”
it in the paragraph.
• Let’s take a look at two examples…
“The students had fun on their field trip. They
visited the Marine Museum. They were able
to tour a tug boat and they bought souvenirs
in the gift shop. After the tours they ate a
picnic lunch in the park and played with their
friends.”

The underlined portion of the sentence is the

main idea and is stated for the reader.
“Samantha, I can’t eat or sleep when you are
gone. I need to hear your soothing voice and
see your lovely smile. I miss that special way
you sing. Please come home soon.”

In this paragraph, the main idea isn’t stated.

However, by reading the paragraph, the reader
can determine the main idea: The author
misses Samantha.
 Too much information…
• All of the sentences in a paragraph should
support the main idea of that paragraph.
• Information that does not support the main
idea does not belong in the same paragraph.
• Take a look at the example on the next slide.
Find the “extra” information that does not
support the main idea…
“Maria offered to help her mother clean the
house. She vacuumed the living room and
dusted the furniture. She picked up the toys
in the playroom. She ate a ham sandwich for
lunch. Then, she mopped the kitchen floor.”

Which sentence does not

support the main idea?
“Maria offered to help her mother clean the
house. She vacuumed the living room and
dusted the furniture. She picked up the toys
in the playroom. She ate a ham sandwich for
lunch. Then, she mopped the kitchen floor.”

Which sentence does not

support the main idea?
 Find the sentence that does not
support the main idea…
“Winter provides the opportunity for many
outdoor activities. Many people enjoy ice
skating on a pond. Swimming in the pond in
summer can also be fun. Skiing can be a
thrilling experience too. After a new snowfall,
you can even build a snowman!”
 Find the sentence that does not
support the main idea…
“Winter provides the opportunity for many
outdoor activities. Many people enjoy ice
skating on a pond. Swimming in the pond in
summer can also be fun. Skiing can be a
thrilling experience too. After a new snowfall,
you can even build a snowman!”
You try it…
“The rain forest is home to many creatures.
Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain
forest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the
rain forest.”

What is the main idea?

A) Sloths and tapirs are other creatures

that live in the rain forest.
B) The rain forest is home to many creatures.
C) Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest.
You try it…
“The rain forest is home to many creatures.
Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain
forest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the
rain forest.”

What is the main idea?

A) Sloths and tapirs are other creatures

that live in the rain forest.
B) The rain forest is home to many creatures.
C) Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest.
Try another…
“Soccer players learn many skills when playing
soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and
pass the ball. They also learn how to control the
ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly,
soccer players learn how to work together with
their teammates.”

What is the main idea?

A) They also learn how to control the
ball so they can eventually score.
B) Soccer players learn how to dribble.
C) Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
Try another…
“Soccer players learn many skills when playing
soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and
pass the ball. They also learn how to control the
ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly,
soccer players learn how to work together with
their teammates.”

What is the main idea?

A) They also learn how to control the
ball so they can eventually score.
B) Soccer players learn how to dribble.
C) Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
Let’s do one more…
“Swimming is one thing that can be done at the
beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be
enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of
fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people
simply like to sunbathe.”

What is the implied main idea?

Let’s do one more…
“Swimming is one thing that can be done at the
beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be
enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of
fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people
simply like to sunbathe.”

There are many fun

things to do at the
beach.
What is the implied main idea?